Factors Predicting Practices in Prevention of COVID-19 and Impacts among Population in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Abstract

Background and objectives: The pandemic of COVID-19 is a global concern requiring urgent and effective action. However, the data on prevention practices and the impact of COVID-19 among the Thai population have not been clearly described. This study aimed to examine the knowledge, attitudes, perception, practices, and factors predicting practices in the prevention of COVID-19 and to study the impact of COVID-19 on people’s livelihoods. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between April and November 2020. A questionnaire eliciting demographic data and information on knowledge, attitudes, perception, prevention practices, and impact of COVID-19 was given to 500 people who lived in Chiang Mai, and 480 usable questionnaires were returned, for a response rate of 96.0%. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression. Results: Less than half of the participants had a high level of knowledge (45.4%) about COVID-19. Most of them had a high level of attitudes (95.6%), perception (72.1%), and prevention practices (90.4%). Female (β = 0.11, p = 0.006), patient status (β = 0.17, p < 0.001), knowledge (β = −0.10, p = 0.020), attitudes (β = 0.37, p < 0.001), and perception (β = 0.21, p < 0.001) about COVID-19 prevention were the predicting factors for overall prevention practices (R2 = 0.288). Most participants perceived the overall impact of COVID-19 at moderate and high levels (47.1 and 37.8%, respectively). The highest impact was an economic burden, followed by psychological, social, and physical impacts. Conclusions: Policymakers should enhance attitudes and perception about COVID-19 prevention to improve the COVID-19 prevention practices. This may help to reduce the new cases of COVID-19 and may result in reducing the impact of COVID-19 on people’s livelihoods.

Health-Risk Behaviors, COVID-19 Preventive Behaviors, and the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Working-Age Population of Bangkok, Thailand

“…The questionnaire on the effects of COVID-19 was developed by Kasatpibal et al [ 16 ], and validated in a Thai context. This questionnaire was a 16-item scale consisting of four subdimensions: (1) effects of health and disease prevention; (2) family effects; (3) economic effects; and (4) psychological components.…”

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Thai population: Delineating the effects of the pandemic and policy measures

“…6,7 A pilot study in Thailand demonstrated that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and government policies included a decrease in national travel (63.5%), eating out (63.0%), participation in religious, traditional and cultural activities (61.5%), patronage of beauty salons (61.0%), and shopping at the mall (58.0%). 8 A study in Zambia found that the spread of COVID-19 affected the education of students at the high school level. The teachers and students lacked support for online learning.…”

“…Some students reported a delay in graduation (61.0%), did not have devices and accessories needed for online learning (43.0%), had no support for solving problems during online learning (43.0%), had difficulty accessing or had no internet access for online learning (38.5%), and lacked the skills for online learning (38.0%). 8 The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global economy. It resulted in the economic slowdown of countries around the world, including Europe, the Americas, and Asia 10 resulting in a decrease of gross domestic product and economic growth.…”

Concerns of Home Isolating COVID-19 Patients While Receiving Care via Telemedicine during the Pandemic in the Northern Thailand: A Qualitative Study on Text Messaging

“…To increase the effectiveness of teleconsultation to enhance self-care in cases of COVID-19 was challenging, however meeting the needs of the patients is a predominant task for the health care services. A recent study shows that Thai people have a high awareness of COVID-19 prevention; however, less than half (45.4%) have high levels of knowledge about COVID-19 [ 17 ]. The most common sources Thai people use to seek health information is from health care providers and media [ 18 ].…”